OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Favorites went a measly 7 for 30 during opening week of the Belmont at the Big A meet and just 2 for 15 on turf. So, it’s not shocking that two of the first three cards produced carryovers in the pick six, including a $48,657 carryover awaiting bettors Thursday.
Victories by Mo Damorninggrouch ($50), Nelson Avenue ($21.40), and Shade of Pale ($16.40) helped create Thursday’s carryover that begins in race 4 (2:40 p.m. Eastern) and includes three races scheduled for the turf. Rain was forecast Wednesday and into Thursday so be mindful of potential surface switches.
Here’s a peek at the sequence.
Race 4: Empty Tomb won the first race of the Saratoga meet on July 11, a $20,000 claimer, and hasn’t run since. Trainer Robert Falcone Jr. is stepping up to the $40,000 level and cutting him back to a one-turn mile. In March 2023, Empty Tomb won a $40,000 claimer going a one-turn mile here. Empty Tomb has recorded four of his eight wins going a one-turn mile.
Skylander won a $25,000 claimer going a one-turn mile here in June and he goes first off the $32,000 claim for Rob Atras. Rocco Strong is a three-time winner going a one-turn mile, can handle moisture if need be, and goes first off a $32,000 claim by Mike Maker.
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Race 5: Princess Becca and Elliptic both ran well when second and third behind Just Music in this same starter-allowance condition going one mile at Saratoga. La Vita Sofia won a $25,000 claimer last out that produced two next-out winners, both of whom recorded career-high Beyer Speed Figures in those wins.
Race 6: This is a complex New York-bred maiden $40,000 claimer sprinting on turf.
Egyptian Quest ran a decent third in a turf sprint on July 4 at Monmouth and a repeat of that effort might make him a winner here. Starsinthecity, a filly, goes first for a tag and finished midpack after a troubled start in her lone turf sprint try. Price Is Truth was fifth first time in this condition in a race that produced three next-out winners.
My Life Story and Seventh Race Shake might appreciate the turnback to six furlongs after both chased paces and faded going longer in this same condition at Saratoga.
Race 7: Kick a Buck hopefully gets back on turf after being claimed for $40,000 by Linda Rice out of a four-length maiden win on the lawn for Chad Brown on Aug. 4 and running seventh in an off-the turf optional claimer on Aug. 31. If the race comes off the turf, Rice has Treaty Obligation, another horse she claimed off Brown, this one for $50,000.
Others to use on turf include Born Dancer, blinkers on, who is first time for a tag for Michelle Nevin. On Aug. 4 at Saratoga, Modica missed by a nose from becoming the fourth next-out winner from his own maiden $35,000 claiming victory at Gulfstream in March.
Our Country won a $35,000 claimer here last September and has raced just once since.
Race 8: Flight Control was a debut winner here in December before finishing fourth in the Franklin Square Stakes in January. This first-level statebred sprint is her first start since, and trainer Bob Klesaris is solid off lengthy layoffs.
Better Humor Me ran a solid second in this condition second off the layoff at Saratoga.
Race 9: The sequence ends with maiden 2-year-old fillies sprinting on the turf. Bourbon Milk Punch, trained by Jack Sisterson, was beaten a half-length by good-looking and well-bet George Weaver-trained Laurice first out. Weaver sends out Yesterday, who was sixth as the favorite behind Virgin Colada in a productive maiden race on July 21 at Saratoga.
First-time starters Silent Dreamer and Every Vote Counts should be used if budget allows.
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◗ Chancer McPatrick, winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on closing day of the Saratoga meet, returned to the work tab Sunday at Saratoga breezing a half-mile in 48.85 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.
Chancer McPatrick is a candidate for either the Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct or the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, both scheduled for Oct. 5.
◗ Fierceness, the Travers winner, also returned to the work tab over the weekend, breezing a half-mile in 50.68 on Sunday over the Oklahoma training track. He is going to train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
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